Cr*p Hits The Fan

So, you are cruising through life…things are good! You have a job that pays the bills, you have amazing friends, your kids are not acting like total maniacs, and your love life is on point. Let’s face it, you have food on the table, you live under a roof every night…of course things are good. In fact, you feel like you are on top of the world!

Wait, hold up…wait for it, wait for it…it’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s the you know what is about to hit the fan. Yep, a family member gets sick, your awesome love life isn’t so awesome anymore, your close friend is diagnosed with cancer, you are diagnosed with a chronic illness…the list goes on and on.

We all know that these bumps in life are inevitable. Life is about facing challenges and obstacles, in order for us to grow and learn lessons. I know that now, but it wasn’t always that clear. I have to admit, I have lived a pretty blessed life. As a result, I navigated life on the surface, often on cruise control. I was not forced to dig deep and look into what is under the surface until a few years ago…

Photo credit: Melinda Humphries www.melindahumphries.com

A few years ago, my cr*p hit the fan. Could it have been worse? Yes! However, my naïve and sheltered a** didn’t know how to handle adversity very well. God, a higher power, or whatever you believe in knocked me upside the head with a cancer diagnosis. That is why it is called a “wake up call..” we are asleep at the wheel of life!

How was I supposed to learn anything just sailing through life on its surface? Many of us enjoy being on that sailboat, not worrying about what is underneath the water.   We don’t have to face the sharks, sting rays, rip tides…the bad stuff. However, what we are missing is the good stuff too-the beautiful coral, the amazing rainbow colored fish, and the sunken treasures. Luckily, my cancer diagnosis and subsequent health challenges forced me to dive deep and discover my true self. I started thinking about the spiritual world and what lies beyond the physical realm. I ultimately discovered my soul, which I believe, is the sunken treasure that exists beneath our surface.

My soul was essentially “untapped” growing up and throughout most of my adult life. I drained that sucker once I started learning how to tap it. It may not be for everyone. Some simply choose to continue to live on the surface, which is completely fine. They may not ever want to know what’s lurking in the waters below. Their perception may be that digging deep is down right scary. Well, they are right! Sometimes it is scary, having to face deep rooted issues or childhood trauma. However, once those things are released, the soul shines through stronger than ever.

I also understand that people may not know how to navigate the waters below without help. I wish I had that “map” to healing when I started my journey. The good news is, we all have an inner compass..one that is guided by spirit, your soul, your intuition. This inner compass, once tapped, will guide you to the appropriate people; it will tell you if you should go right or left; it will bring healing to you. The compass only grows stronger the more you use it to navigate your journey.

Photo by Florian van Schreven on Unsplash

I have been on my journey for a few years now, and I predict it will continue for the rest of my life. I am no longer asleep at the wheel... I was blessed to wake up to the beauty underneath my sailboat. Sure, I came across many sharks, but I fought my way and escaped getting eaten alive. It was not easy. I had to find my courage, strength and will. I didn’t know I was strong, in fact, I always thought I was weak. I was tested beyond my imagination and taken to fearful places. However, my intuition told me to hold on..to let go of that fear..that something magical awaited. I found that magic, which turned out to be my spiritual awakening, learning self love, releasing fear, discovering my purpose in life, and ultimately beginning to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually.

So, as you read this, I hope that you are not deep in the throws of your cr*p. But if you are, please hold on to my words as your strength, hope and courage. The sharks are bound to circle the boat, and the storms are inevitable at times. As you escape badly bruised, slightly beaten or completely unscathed, know that you are learning to be stronger, so that the next storm doesn’t hit so hard. Realize that something greater than you is steering, and you are just along for the ride. Appreciate the ride and connect deeply to yourself, and you too will find your sunken treasures.

~Michelle